Can I get a visa on arrival in India?

No. India discontinued visa on arrival for most countries. You must get an e-Visa online before traveling or apply at an embassy/consulate.

What if my e-Visa application gets rejected?

You'll get a refund minus processing fees. Common rejection reasons: blurry photos, passport validity issues, or form errors. Fix the problem and reapply, or apply at an Indian consulate.

Can I extend my tourist visa while in India?

No. Tourist visas (including e-Visas) cannot be extended. You must leave India and reapply. Plan your stay accordingly or get a longer initial visa.

Do I need a visa for Nepal/Bhutan side trips?

You'll need to check your India visa's entry terms. Most e-Visas allow re-entry if you have a multiple-entry version. Single-entry visas become invalid once you leave India.

How to Get a Visa for Backpacking India

Most travelers need an e-Visa ($10-80 depending on duration) applied online 4-120 days before arrival. Tourist visas allow 30, 90, or 365 days with specific entry requirements. Apply through the official Indian government website, not third-party services.

Choose your visa type. e-Tourist Visa is best for backpackers: 30-day ($10), 1-year multiple entry ($25), or 5-year multiple entry ($80). The 1-year allows stays up to 90 days per visit with unlimited entries. Avoid the 5-year unless you're a frequent India traveler—it has strict biometric requirements.
Gather required documents. You need: passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages, recent color photo (2x2 inches, white background), proof of onward/return travel, and accommodation details for first night. Have a PDF scan of your passport bio page ready.
Apply online exactly right. Use only indianvisaonline.gov.in (the official site). Fill the form carefully—any mistakes mean starting over. Upload your photo and passport scan. Double-check dates and passport number. The form takes 30-45 minutes if you have documents ready.
Pay and wait for processing. Pay with credit card ($10-80 plus processing fees). Most e-Visas process in 72 hours but can take up to 4 business days. You'll get an email with your ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Print 2 copies—keep one separate from your passport.
Prepare for arrival. e-Visa entry is restricted to 28 designated airports and 5 seaports. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Goa are the main backpacker entries. Have your ETA printout, passport, return ticket proof, and $25+ cash ready. Immigration usually takes 15-30 minutes.

Can I get a visa on arrival in India?: No. India discontinued visa on arrival for most countries. You must get an e-Visa online before traveling or apply at an embassy/consulate.
What if my e-Visa application gets rejected?: You'll get a refund minus processing fees. Common rejection reasons: blurry photos, passport validity issues, or form errors. Fix the problem and reapply, or apply at an Indian consulate.
Can I extend my tourist visa while in India?: No. Tourist visas (including e-Visas) cannot be extended. You must leave India and reapply. Plan your stay accordingly or get a longer initial visa.
Do I need a visa for Nepal/Bhutan side trips?: You'll need to check your India visa's entry terms. Most e-Visas allow re-entry if you have a multiple-entry version. Single-entry visas become invalid once you leave India.